Hampton Roads events mark women's history month

March 01, 2014|Daily Press

March marks the observance of Women's History Month. The following events are scheduled across the region. For a complete list, go to dailypress.com/entertainment.

"The Forgotten Grave: Women Soldiers of the American Civil War." 1 p.m. Saturday, March 1. Women's History Month Film Fest at the Virginia War Museum. The museum will host a film festival during March featuring films that depict women's roles in the military. Free with paid admission to museum. In "The Forgotten Grave," more than 600 women disguised themselves as men to fight in the American Civil War. This documentary tells their stories through the women's own letters, diaries, and testimonials. The film also follows the lives of other women who took part in the Civil War, such as nurses, spies, and other brave heroines. Virginia War Museum, 9285 Warwick Blvd. Newport News. 757-247-8523. http://www.warmuseum.org.

"V for Victory: Women at War." 1 p.m. Saturday, March 8. Women's History Month Film Fest at the Virginia War Museum. Free with paid admission to museum. This video details women's essential contributions to the national war effort during World War II. Original newsreel stories illustrate the period's most momentous events and highlight the era's prominent personalities. From the home front and factories to the battle fields, the film examines women's sacrifices as well as their demonstrations of competency at this critical turning point in U.S. history. Virginia War Museum, 9285 Warwick Blvd. Newport News. 757-247-8523. http://www.warmuseum.org.

Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 8-9. The weekend of events related to the 152nd anniversary of the Battle of Hampton Roads features two programs related to women and the Civil War. "A Slave's Perspective on the War," with interpreter Wisteria Perry, explores the slave experience in the Civil War South, and includes an open-fire cooking demonstration. Also, interpreter Melissa Mead will present on 19th Century Textile Arts, demonstrating sewing techniques including handwork, tatting and knitting. The Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News. 757-596-2222. http://www.marinersmuseum.org.

"Fly Girls." 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15. Women's History Month Film Fest at the Virginia War Museum. Free with paid admission to museum. At the height of World War II, more than 1,000 women left their homes and jobs for the opportunity of a lifetime — joining the Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) to become the first female pilots to fly for the United States military. Drawing on archival footage, rarely seen home movies, and interviews with pilots themselves, the women of the WASP take wing once again, to tell their story of skill, determination and courage. Virginia War Museum, 9285 Warwick Blvd. Newport News. 757-247-8523. http://www.warmuseum.org.

Free Women's Self-Defense Workshop. Wednesday, March 19. 7:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Students will learn easy self-defense techniques that can be used to help escape a potentially dangerous situation. Register by March 18 with an email to womenctr@odu.edu in order to participate. Norfolk Karate Academy, 814 West 45th St., Norfolk. 757-683-4109. http://www.odu.edu/womenscenter.

"Top Secret Rosies: The Female Computers of WWII." 1 p.m. Saturday, March 22. Women's History Month Film Fest at the Virginia War Museum. Free with paid admission to museum. In 1942, a secret U.S. military program was launched to recruit women to the war effort. This clandestine search targeted female mathematicians who would become human "computers" for the U.S. Army. From the bombing of Axis Europe to the assaults on Japanese strongholds, women worked around-the-clock six days a week, creating ballistics tables that proved crucial to Allies' success. When the first electronic computer (ENIAC) was developed to aid the Army's calculation efforts, six of these women were tapped to become its first programmers. Virginia War Museum, 9285 Warwick Blvd. Newport News. 757-247-8523. http://www.warmuseum.org.